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Opinion

Opinion

Based on the author’s interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events.

Toronto casino referendum needed to clear the air: Hepburn

Like tulips after the first warm spring rain, yellow “No Casino” signs are suddenly sprouting up in front yards all around my neighbourhood in Toronto.

The first lawn signs appeared last year, but in recent days they have proliferated and now are a common sight on streets and in shops in my area.

This flurry of new signs, which are supplied by No Casino Toronto, a grassroots citizens’ group, is a clear indication of the growing anger raging across Toronto over a proposed mega casino, to be built either on the CNE waterfront, in the downtown core or at Woodbine racetrack in the Rexdale neighbourhood.

The fight is heating up as Toronto City Council prepares to hold a special casino debate on May 21. Councillors were to vote this week on the casino, but Mayor Rob Ford pulled the issue from the council agenda at the last minute to give him more time to gather support for it.

But why will just 44 councillors get to vote on the casino? Surely this issue, which could totally change the city, is too controversial to be left in the hands of so few.

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Indeed, the casino is a perfect case for a city-wide referendum.

That’s because polls over the last year show residents are sharply divided on the issue. Supporters, including Ford, claim a casino would attract tourists, create thousands of jobs and pump up to $100 million a year in hosting fees to the city. Critics argue a casino would attract organized crime, lead to high social costs due to gambling addiction and hurt existing tourist and entertainment business.

A referendum isn’t a crazy idea. In fact, Toronto has already held one casino referendum, with 72 per cent voting “no” in a 1997 ballot question.

Toronto council considered a referendum last April, but it failed to win enough votes and was effectively shelved.

Since then, however, the fury on both sides of the issue has intensified.

A referendum could be organized quickly, by the fall at the latest, and for about $9 million. And the question should be simple: “Do you support a casino in Toronto? Yes or No?”

Holding the referendum sooner rather than waiting until the next municipal election in October 2014, would remove the casino issue from dominating the mayoral campaign, which already is filling up with major issues ranging from Ford’s competency as mayor to subways, road taxes and jets at the island airport.

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At stake is the future of proposals by foreign-based casino operators to spend up to $3 billion on a casino-resort complex that would include gaming rooms, a convention centre, new hotel and retail stores.

This is not the first time Toronto faced the casino issue. Like a chronic disease, it keeps flaring up and you can never get rid of it.

In 1994, with the opening of the Windsor casino, pressure built for a Toronto casino. The issues were the same: crime, social costs, drawing money away from existing entertainment rather than creating new revenues. And foreign casino operators, including MGM which is pitching us again, were ready to sell us their goods.

Holding a referendum would help clear the air over a casino, which carries a bad odour for many residents.

They believe gambling is a tax on the poor and they are wary of the support for a casino from businessmen such as Paul Godfrey, the CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., and of the decision by Metrolinx chair Rob Prichard to register himself as a casino lobbyist on behalf of a consortium led by MGM Resorts.

These critics also feel taxpayers, not casino operators, will be on the hook for any social costs linked with gambling. Further, they believe most casino workers would be paid only near-minimum wages.

The biggest stench surrounding the casino issue emanates from politicians, both at the provincial and local level.

Most Liberal and NDP MPPs at Queen’s Park oppose casinos. But strapped for cash because they don’t dare raise taxes for fear of being branded “tax lovers,” they have become as addicted to gambling money as the worst betting addict.

So let’s settle this issue for at least another generation by holding a referendum.

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